90% of those diagnosed with lupus are women between 15 and 45 years of age. It is the leading cause of stroke, heart and kidney disease in women. Lupus can also strike men, older adults and children, in fact, the numbers of lupus cases seen in children is increasing. More people have lupus than those who have AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia or cystic fibrosis, making lupus one of the country’s most prevalent medical problems.

Unbeknownst to many however Cori’s battle with lupus is the reason that convinced Snoop and his wife Shante to stay together. The West Coast rap icon said it played a major part in helping his failing marriage.

Speaking on the delicate situation, Snoop shared that although he filed for divorce from his wife in 2004 citing irreconcilable differences, his daughter’s ailment played a role in them moving on to renew their vows in 2008.
“That’s what it boiled down to…

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/459421/snoop-doggs-daughter-lupus/feed/0snoop daughterblackdoctordotorgsnoop daughter31 Lupus Facts For Every Day Of Lupus Awareness Monthhttp://blackdoctor.org/playlist/31-lupus-facts-for-every-day-of-lupus-awareness-month
http://blackdoctor.org/playlist/31-lupus-facts-for-every-day-of-lupus-awareness-month#commentsFri, 01 May 2015 18:30:31 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=458881]]>How well do you #KnowLupus? Lupus Awareness Month is observed during May to increase public understanding of this cruel and mysterious disease that ravages different part of the body.

The KNOW LUPUS campaign was created to raise awareness of lupus and funds for lupus research. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of the public knows little or nothing about lupus beyond the name. Everyone needs to KNOW LUPUS, to create a future with NO LUPUS.

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/playlist/31-lupus-facts-for-every-day-of-lupus-awareness-month/feed/0know lupussandria3Man Loses 70lbs So He Can Donate Kidney To Wifehttp://blackdoctor.org/457692/pj-spraggins-kidney-donation-to-wife/
http://blackdoctor.org/457692/pj-spraggins-kidney-donation-to-wife/#commentsSat, 11 Apr 2015 21:04:20 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=457692]]>Meet James & Tracy Spraggins. James, or PJ, is a professional musician and Tracy is a special education teacher. They’ve been married for 10 years. Tracy has been dealing with Lupus since the age of six. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that, in Tracy’s case, makes her body’s immune system attack her kidney functions. After Tracy’s kidney functions dipped below fifteen percent in late 2013, her name was placed on the National Kidney Transplant list. According to the Living Kidney Donors network, there are over 93,000 people waiting for kidney transplants of their own and the list has average wait time of six to seven years. In an effort to help Tracy in any way he could, James decided to go through the extensive evaluation process of being a kidney donor to Tracy.

Now 39, Tracy was six when she was first diagnosed with the chronic inflammatory disease which affects her kidney functions. She was placed on the transplant list in 2013 – just a few months after her 34-year-old sister, who also had Lupus, died following complications from a kidney transplant. Knowing that the seven-year wait might be too long, PJ, a self-employed musician, submitted himself for the weeks-long evaluation to assess whether he could donate his kidney.

However, the good news was laced with disappointment as doctors said his size at 265 pounds meant the operation couldn’t go ahead.

“They said I was a perfect match but they wanted to check I was healthy and met their requirements. They sent me a blood pressure monitor, but they didn’t like the numbers.”

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Early signs of kidney failure can be found in your nails:Linear Depressions
One type of nail change is called Beau’s lines — transverse ridges that go across the nail, affecting all of your nails. Beau’s lines are a result of an acute kidney disease that interferes with the growth of the nail.

Ridged Nails
Kidney disease causes koilonychia — ridged nails that are somewhat spoon-shaped and concave. This change is associated with iron-deficiency anemia, which commonly occurs in people with kidney disease.

White Streaks and Spots
White streaks and spots on your fingernails occur with a condition called leukonychia. This condition is associated with chronic renal disease.

Half-and-Half Nails
Half-and-half nails — also known as Lindsay’s nails — also occur with kidney disease. The bottom portion of the nail is white, while the top of your nail is brown. Swelling of the nail bed causes the bottom of the nail to become white.

Slow Blood Flow To Kidneys

Diseases and conditions that may slow blood flow to the kidneys and lead to kidney failure include:

Diabetes

Blood or fluid loss

Hypertension/Blood pressure medications

Heart attack

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http://blackdoctor.org/457125/symptoms-of-kidney-failure/feed/0man blood transfusionsandria3man blood transfusionCould Fatigue Be A Sign Of Something More Serious?http://blackdoctor.org/452752/causes-of-fatigue/
http://blackdoctor.org/452752/causes-of-fatigue/#commentsMon, 05 Jan 2015 14:40:46 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=452752]]>Experiencing fatigue every now and then is not a huge deal; however, if the feeling is reoccurring and lasts for two or more weeks, it could be a sign of something more serious. But what? With fatigue being a common symptom of various diseases, it can be difficult to narrow down the exact cause, but here are three common problems associated with fatigue.

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1. Medication

Lots of over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed medications can cause you to feel drowsy or fatigued. If you recently started taking a new medication and you’re feeling more tired than usual, it’d be wise to speak with your doctor and find out whether the medication has anything to do with it.

2. Autoimmune disease

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/452752/causes-of-fatigue/feed/0man office tired boredsandria3assorted pillsHow To Manage Your Lupus Symptomshttp://blackdoctor.org/451746/how-to-manage-lupus-symptoms/
http://blackdoctor.org/451746/how-to-manage-lupus-symptoms/#commentsMon, 08 Dec 2014 01:58:02 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=451746]]>After being able to recognize the symptoms, perhaps the second most difficult aspect of lupus is managing your symptoms. From extreme fatigue to joint pain to hair loss, here are five simple ways you can help control all those symptoms and more.

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Get your rest.

Fatigue is common in those who’ve been diagnosed with lupus. To fight off fatigue, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep every time you hit the sack. Depending on the person, you may need anywhere from eight to 12 hours of sleep every night, in order to feel completely restored.

Exercise regularly.

Believe it or not, physical activity can actually help boost your energy. During your workout sessions, be sure to pace yourself and take breaks whenever you feel that you need them to avoid experiencing that tired, burnt-out feeling.

By incorporating meals that are well-balanced and full of nutrition into your diet, you can help manage your symptoms and benefit your overall health. Avoid salty, processed foods and opt for fresh fruits and veggies, poultry, fish and dark, leafy greens instead.

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A: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Some symptoms include rashes, joint pain and fatigue.

About 1.5 million Americans have lupus and one-third of them will develop kidney involvement, or lupus nephritis, as a result, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Most at risk for lupus nephritis are African-Americans under the age of 25 and children with lupus. African-American men are considered high risk. Just recently, actor and rapper Nick Cannon, husband of Mariah Carey, told various media outlets that he has lupus nephritis.

When lupus attacks the kidneys, the damage can be life-threatening. Beet juice boosts the glutathione levels in your body. Glutathione is naturally produced by the human body and is known as the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifier. Virtually every cell of the body uses it to neutralize toxins. We therefore need this substance to protect our eyes, skin, kidneys, liver and many other organs from toxic byproducts produced by the body through normal metabolism.

If your system is rich in glutathione because of your consumption of beet juice key organs can perform their essential function of pulling these harmful toxins into the colon from where they can be flushed down the toilet.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, an estimated 1.5 million people have some form of lupus. Although this autoimmune disease can affect all ages, races, and both genders, the majority of lupus patients – 90 percent to be exact – tend to be women. Being diagnosed with lupus doesn’t mean that you can’t lead a healthy, normal, and productive life. Just take a look at Toni Braxton, Seal, Tim Raines and even the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, for instance. Like any disease, the key to lupus is being able to control and manage it, but first, you have to be able to recognize its symptoms. Read on to find out what they are.

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1. Joint pain

Experiencing two or more swollen, red, warm, and/or tender-to-the-touch joints for at least six weeks is usually one of the first signs of lupus.

2. Sudden, unexplained hair loss

Perhaps one of the most common symptoms of lupus is hair loss. Some people lose their hair in clumps, but more often than not, the hair loss tends to be slow and gradual. You might notice the hair on the other parts of your body, such as the eyebrows and eyelashes, starting to thin as well.

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3. Fatigue

Mild to extreme fatigue is another common characteristic of lupus, which makes it difficult for patients to exercise and perform daily activities. If you’re feeling even more tired than usual, this could be a strong indicator that a flare is about to occur. It’s also not uncommon for people with lupus to experience unexplained fevers, which tend to be somewhere between 98.5 and 101 degrees.

4. Kidney problems

Some lupus patients develop a kidney inflammation called nephritis, which makes it difficult for your kidneys to flush out toxins and waste from your blood. If you experience swelling in your fingers, lower legs, ankles and feet, high blood pressure, blood and/or a foamy appearance in your urine, dark urine, and/or weight gain, then this could be a sign that there’s a serious problem going on with your kidneys. See your doctor right away.

5. Chest pain

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/450570/african-american-lupus-symptoms/feed/0woman sleeping on couchsandria3woman sleeping on couchToni Braxton: “They Said I Shouldn’t Perform…”http://blackdoctor.org/449582/toni-braxton-lupus/
http://blackdoctor.org/449582/toni-braxton-lupus/#commentsTue, 07 Oct 2014 18:03:37 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=449582]]>With six Grammy-awards and a hit television show under her belt, singer Toni Braxton seems to be living a great life. A very public, but amicable divorce, a great album with Babyface and a loving family and children. But it wasn’t always the case.

In 2008, Toni collapsed while performing in Las Vegas. In the emergency room, doctors first thought she’d had a ‘baby heart attack.’ “Twenty-three percent of my microvalves and the small blood vessels in my heart were receiving no oxygen,” Toni recalls. Further testing led to a diagnosis. “The blood work was undeniable,” she says. “It showed I have lupus.”

Toni discovered lupus is a lifelong disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue. It affects about 1.5 million Americans, mostly women, and causes a range of symptoms, from rashes and joint pain to inflammation of the heart, lungs and other organs. “For some, it’s their skin and scalp,” Toni notes. “For me, it’s internal. It loves my heart. It’s like it wants to sit there and say, ‘Hi,’ and hang out.”

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/449582/toni-braxton-lupus/feed/0toni-braxtonblackdoctordotorgToni-Braxton25 Signs You Need To See Your Eye Doctorhttp://blackdoctor.org/445769/eye-health-problems/
http://blackdoctor.org/445769/eye-health-problems/#commentsTue, 15 Jul 2014 15:24:46 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=445769]]>The eyes are more than just the windows to your soul; they are also windows to your health. Symptoms of many serious health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and liver issues are first seen in the eyes. Most professionals recommend getting your eyes checked once a year, but take a close look at the signs below to see when you may need to see your eye doctor sooner.

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1. Inflammation: Inflammation of the eyes could be a sign of an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation may occur in one or both eyes and is common in people of all ages. Symptoms of inflammation include:

Itching

Blurred vision

Tearing

Swelling

Pain

Feeling of heat/warmth behind the eyes

Why you need to see your doctor: Treatment for eye inflammation depends on the underlying cause.

2. Leaky blood vessels: Weak blood vessels in the eye are a telltale of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar (blood glucose) levels can clog and damage retinal blood vessels. Diabetics are at high risk for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataract.

Why you need to see your doctor: Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults.

3. Mole inside the eye: The skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection from the sun. Sunlight can also increase the risk of developing cancer inside the eyeball. This type of melanoma can look like a mole or small raised surface on the retina.

Why you need to see your doctor: An eye melanoma can quickly spread to surrounding tissue, so getting an early diagnosis is critical.

If people had to pick a favorite TV character to be best friends with, no doubt, many would choose the quick-witted, slick-talking and always fly “Pamela James” from the classic sitcom, Martin. The character, made famous by veteran actress and singer Tichina Arnold, was the definition of a true ride-or-die homegirl. In real life, the two-time NAACP Image Award winning actress is an even better sister, who stands on the frontline alongside her sibling in the fight against a debilitating disease that affects their family and the families of more and more Black women.

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“My sister and I started the We Win Foundation…there’s so many women of color and men that suffer from lupus,” Arnold shared in a recent interview with Sway in the Morning. “Everybody knows somebody that has lupus and it is affecting women of color – 3 out of 5 women of color are affected by it.”

Arnold’s sister, Zenay Arnold, has seven diseases and lupus was the last diagnosis added to her long list. The #ArnoldSisters – as they frequently hashtag their dynamic duo on social media – created the We Win Foundation in 2013 to bring awareness to lupus and to help people become lupus survivors like Zenay, who’s been living with it for 10 years.

For Zenay, having the support of her sister has been crucial to managing the disease.

“Living with lupus can be terrifying” Zenay said. “You have so many questions and are on a constant quest for answers. However, being around friends and family who understand the devastating impact of the disease can be a motivating force each day.”

Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease with no cure to date. The disease affects different parts of the body and shows up differently in each affected person. It may affect the joints, the skin, the lungs, the heart, the kidneys and even the brain.

After a long battle with Lupus, natural hair guru and YouTube vlogger, Domineque Banks, who coined the phrase, “Long Hair Don’t Care2011,” passed away on April 9, 2014. Banks suffered a heart attack and was placed on life support, not being able to breathe on her own. She passed away with her partner by her side.

Judging from the scores of comments and YouTube view, Domineque has touched the lives of so many with her inspiring natural hair journey over the course of ten years. Her words of wisdom about appreciating one’s own hair and style, as well as her tutorial videos, have garnered millions of hits on YouTube and inspired many women of color to consider going natural. She is considered by some to be one of the first natural hair vloggers to do their thing (and do it well) on YouTube.

The loss of such a beautiful cornerstone to the natural hair movement has greatly impacted the natural hair community – to the point that the GiveForward online fundraiser, started by Banks’s partner and friend to cover funeral costs, surpassed its original goal of $10,000 in a day.

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/442259/domineque-banks-lupus/feed/0nhvloggerblackdoctordotorglhdcNick Cannon Teams With The NMA For Lupus Awarenesshttp://blackdoctor.org/389050/nick-cannon-lupus-nma/
http://blackdoctor.org/389050/nick-cannon-lupus-nma/#commentsFri, 13 Dec 2013 18:51:53 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=389050]]>The National Medical Association (NMA) is excited to highlight our collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Nick Cannon, a multi-talented entertainer and television personality, in an effort to raise awareness of lupus nephritis.

Nick Cannon was diagnosed in 2012 lupus nephritis and he is featured in a new video to increase awareness about clinical trials and options for lupus nephritis studies. Bristol-Myers Squibb created the video with guidance from the NMA.

…Nick says he’s feeling great, adding, “Last year was definitely a tough year health-wise but now doctors have giving me a clean bill of health. Eating well and exercising has kind of put me in the best shape I’ve ever been in.”

On His Health:
“My health scare last year was crazy because [when you have] doctors telling you ‘This might be it,’ and they’re preparing your family and saying it can go either way or there’s a 50/50 chance and all of that stuff, it puts life in perspective,” Nick explains.

“I was a brand-new father — my kids weren’t even 1-year-olds at the time. And it was just like ‘If I do get a chance to do it again, I’m going to make sure all of the things that matter, I focus on. And the things that don’t matter, I let ‘em fall by the wayside.’ And because I still deal with the health condition to this day, it just makes me hungry and makes me grind harder, because we’re not promised tomorrow. I’m doing everything I can do to keep myself healthy, but at the same time, in the back of mind I [know] the clock is ticking. I need to leave my mark. That’s what everybody should do. You’ve got to leave this place better than it was when you got here. I feel like I can’t waste one day. That’s why when people say ‘your work ethic is crazy,’ I’m like ‘The clock is ticking.’ I gotta leave something.”

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/290649/nick-cannon-health/feed/0ncblackdoctordotorgManaging Lupus Symptoms Like This…http://blackdoctor.org/458896/managing-lupus-symptoms-like-this/
http://blackdoctor.org/458896/managing-lupus-symptoms-like-this/#commentsMon, 06 May 2013 18:30:29 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=458896]]>]]>http://blackdoctor.org/458896/managing-lupus-symptoms-like-this/feed/0woman sofa readingchinyere2014Toni Braxton Hospitalized Due To Lupus Complicationshttp://blackdoctor.org/14445/toni-braxton-hospital-lupus/
http://blackdoctor.org/14445/toni-braxton-hospital-lupus/#commentsSat, 08 Dec 2012 18:15:57 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=14445]]>Toni Braxton has been hospitalized because of “minor health issues” related to lupus. Both Braxton and her spokeswoman confirmed the hospitalization, but had no further details.

“But no worries!,” Braxton wrote to fans. “I will be out any day now.”

The 45-year-old singer of “Un-break My Heart” revealed two years ago she has lupus, a potentially deadly autoimmune disease that killed Braxton’s uncle. She also suffers from a narrowing of the blood vessels in her heart.

Braxton said in a recent “20/20” interview that doctors told her the lupus diagnosis meant her performing career would likely be diminished.

But oddly, people tend to point their fingers at things like aging when it comes to less attractive things, like hair loss, unsightly nails and skin problems, according to Health.com.

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In fact, these flaws can actually be signaling underlying health issues, says integrative medicine specialist Molly M. Roberts, M.D., of the Institute for Health & Healing, in San Francisco, and president of the American Holistic Medical Association.

“It’ll start by whispering, then it’ll start talking, and, if you don’t pay attention, it’ll start yelling and shouting, and then you’ve got an illness,” she says.

Here are just a few of the noticeable signs of potential health problems beneath your skin’s surface.

Hair LossThe Problem: Thyroid disorder

Pregnancy, stress, disease, medications and changes in hormones all can contribute to hair loss. But among women in particular, dry, thinning hair may be a sign of an underactive or overactive thyroid. A simple blood test can check whether the body is making normal amounts of thyroid hormone.

Cracked LipsThe Problem: Sjögren’s syndrome

Severely cracked, dry lips may be a reaction to medication, an occupational hazard (if you’re a brass musician), or a symptom of allergy, infection or other conditions. Cracking at the corners of the mouth may also be a symptom of Sjögren’s (pronounced SHOW-grens) syndrome, an immune system disorder. Sjögren’s causes dry eyes and dry mouth, as well as joint pain and dry skin. As many as 4 million Americans — mostly women — have this condition.

Dark Skin Patches.The Problem: Diabetes/Cancer

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/10435/bad-looks-can-equal-bad-health/feed/0woman-and-man-smilingionewgreerwoman-and-man-smilingLOL: Lupus Out Loudhttp://blackdoctor.org/9728/lol-lupus-out-loud/
http://blackdoctor.org/9728/lol-lupus-out-loud/#commentsThu, 24 May 2012 19:28:08 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=9728]]>LOL?! Lupus Out Loud is a new online movement and video developed to encourage people with lupus to speak “out loud” about their symptoms. The movement was inspired by the results of a recent Roper survey that found over half (52 percent) of patients with lupus surveyed reported that they minimize their symptoms when speaking with their doctor.

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“Common lupus symptoms – including fatigue and pain – can be invisible to others, so many patients feel isolated and alone. Further, in an effort to not burden their family or physician, patients often underplay what they are actually experiencing,” said Susan Manzi, MD, MPH, Co-Director of the Lupus Center of Excellence and Chair of the Department of Medicine of West Penn Allegheny Health System.

Lupus Out Loud encourages lupus patients to pledge to make an appointment with their doctor and to speak frankly about the true impact of lupus on their daily lives. In addition, Lupus Out Loud’s new video “Voices” features several lupus patients across America and illustrates that the collective voice is more powerful than one voice.

Lupus facts:

• Prevalence: About 90 percent of people diagnosed with lupus are women[2]; the disease is more common in women of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent than in Caucasian women.

]]>http://blackdoctor.org/9728/lol-lupus-out-loud/feed/0woman-shaking-hands-with-her-doctorionewgreerwoman-shaking-hands-with-her-doctorNick Cannon’s NCredible Health Hustle #6: Back In The Hospitalhttp://blackdoctor.org/9215/nick-cannons-ncredible-health-hustle-episode-6/
http://blackdoctor.org/9215/nick-cannons-ncredible-health-hustle-episode-6/#commentsWed, 09 May 2012 18:44:38 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=9215]]>Nick Cannon, in episode 6 of his Ncredible Health Hustle series, is back in a hospital bed. Foremost on his mind? His blots clots, his declining health…and coming to terms with his own mortality.

“A few days ago, I was with my family in the snow, playing, having a good time,” he says. All of a sudden, I started swelling up, having shortness of breath, excruciating pain in my right side. I wake up in the hospital, a bunch of doctors telling me I’ve got kidney failure.”

While Cannon used the term “lupus-like” without going into further detail, it is known that autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells. In particular, lupus involves the immune system attacking its own body’s tissues and organs, and is most known for the butterfly-wing-like rash that appears on the face.